Maks has written a new blog for TV Guide. He writes that doing an 80’s Tango seems a little weird, but, he’s worked it out and has a “good idea and a good story” for it. Maks also writes about last week’s dance and Len’s comments about Hope not being committed. He also writes of the entertainment factor and the popular vote and if they are taking over the show versus a good story and room for dignity. See if you don’t agree with what he says below?

I thought Hope did an amazing job with the foxtrot. She was great and we’re pleased with the 24. I just want to be clear that we don’t’ have issues. We don’t have problems. We don’t have life issue situations we need to overcome. We’re just dancing and we’re trying to do our best. Given Hope’s background, all the physical attributes we’re trying to enhance, I’m proud of her. For a badass goalkeeper to dress up as Jessie, she was great. She was really believing in it and living it up. She’s improved. Her frame’s so much better. The technical aspect of foxtrot was up there. But we’re starting a new dance, and as it is with every new routine, we start from scratch. I’m hoping to get to the point where she starts learning tango as a continuation of foxtrot in terms of skill.

As for Len’s comment that Hope is not committed, I think it’s a heavily produced moment. The judges have no idea nor do they particularly care how much we rehearse. For him to say stuff like that, he was told to say it. I don’t know what the point is, but it is what it is. I love the show. I think it is an amazing job. It’s a great opportunity, a phenomenal platform for promoting what I love, but we’re becoming a form of entertainment. I feel like we’re losing a little bit of our dignity. I think we need to find a way to balance it out. There has to be room for an incredible story. There has to be room for shock factor, but I also feel like Chynna and Kristin leaving told everybody that unless they have a gazillion of people voting, it’s not good enough. Chynna has one hiccup and she leaves. Others hiccup on a regular basis and they’re not in jeopardy at all.

Be sure to read the full blog to get more of his thoughts on Tony and Chynna’s departure.

I do agree that Len’s comments were out of line questioning Hope’s “commitment”. At the same time, I think Len just really wants to see Hope do well and believe in herself in case there are committment issues. If she does believe in herself and gives it her all, she might find herself in the Top 3 and who knows what might happen after that?!

As for Maks thoughts on the popular vote, I’m not sure I want any changes to the show? One thing I don’t want (as many of you have commented in other posts) is a “Judges save”.

Off topic a little, be sure to watch this Pap video. You can see Maks and Val rapping and dancing outside a club this week. Too cute!!

I'm a fashion and music fan....and I have always loved dancing too of any kind. Dancing With The Stars seems to have this way of bringing all of those things together. One of my favorite dancing quotes at the moment: "No matter what, nobody can take away the dance you've already had...." ~Gleb Savchenko . For fun music and dance mixes, visit WilUnleashed Soundcloud. To view my photography site, see Lisa Kay Photography.

122 responses to "DWTS Maksim Chmerkovskiy Writes on The Popular Vote, The Tango, and Raps With Val! (Blog, Video)"

Interesting blog from Maks. I could feel the tug of war that’s going on inside (and the frustration with the judges’ comments). I think it’s something a lot of the long-time pros are dealing with. We could be seeing several pro departures after this season. TPTB must see the writing on the wall too hence Tristan and Val (and the Troupe farm team).

Hope these two pull off a fierce Tango on Monday so Len will be satisfied and feel like it was all his doing. 🙄

I firmly believe that they are setting this up to be Hope’s week all the way around and if it doesn’t turn out like that it won’t be because of the judges. And that’s all I’ll say about that for now. 🙂

Sorry, meant to add this in response to Vogue’s thoughts on changes to the show.

A judges’ save would definitely NOT be the answer to any perceived problems with the popular vote. As others have said, the “solution” to the “problem” is for the judges to stop trying to manipulate the results with their scores. The more they try to anticipate and compensate for the voting, the more emotional and irrational the voting becomes.

Yeah, Maks isn’t long for this show – I believe him when he says he’s not angry or whatever, but if he has to talk to himself about being fully committed, then he’s not going to stick around for long. And that’s fair. Maybe if he took a couple seasons off – it did wonders for Derek. I think it would help Mark too, although he certainly seemed better this season than he was the last two.

Well, let’s just say that I agree that Len’s comment about her commitment might have been part of the set up but Maks didn’t follow it to it’s logical conclusion. I mean, he has all the ingredients to go to the top of the leader board this week if he can get his head back into the game and quit worrying about bff Tony and popularity (or lack thereof). Why would the producers have Len say such things if it wasn’t a set up for a rise from the bottom to the top of the leaderboard??

I really appreciate what Maks had to say about JR’s Pink Panther foxtrot and CAI’s “humor” comment. I’m still dumbfounded by that.

It’s ok with me if Hope is “set up for success” next week (providing she rocks the Tango, that is). They deserved a better score for Toy Story, it should’ve put them in the top 3. I’ve gone back to re-watch it more than any other of week 4.

Interesting thought, Heidi. Unfortunately, I don’t think Maks is the kind of guy who plays along with TPTB very well. Maks has a ton of great qualities (I’m a fan), but he’s never struck me as a toe-the-line, company man, and he seems to let his heart rule his head.

They did seem to give Hope a “problem” that wasn’t really a problem which she can’t help but “fix” as she isn’t traveling this week and would have been underfoot in the studio plain as day. So in that sense the “solution” is already set. But that discounts the fact she does work hard and probably will improve on her own since IMO she’s been improving every week even with her nomadic lifestyle. Sleeping in the same bed for a week for the first time in a month alone is probably a relief. For Maks at least. Hope hasn’t really been home for over a year.

Part of me says about time though. They’ve taken shots to her physical appearance, work ethic, and put her in the fake bottom two. That’s a lot of stress. They didn’t need to do those things like that so having something nice happen seems almost fair from my perspective. I’m just hoping they get equal behind the scenes time. I’d be happy with that and could do without the dramatics, but at this point good dramatics after having constant bad dramatics…part of the show too now I should think.

“Why would the producers have Len say such things if it wasn’t a set up for a rise from the bottom to the top of the leaderboard??”

Heidi, you could be right that Len is setting her up for a climb to the top. He does love a good “I told you so moment” and Hope showing improvement could be that moment. On the other hand, they could be setting Hope up to drive the bus right over her. Chaz and Carson, the scrappy underdogs, out last the Olympian because they out worked her. That would be a great storyline for TPTB! It could really go either way from my point of view.

CA’s comments to JR were just absurd. I wonder if they changed the pros and the judges, would they still have a hit show? The judges are getting stale – you know Bruno will be over the top – Len will be crotchety – and CA will be hot to trot for any good-looking celeb and freaking out about lifts. The pros are getting stale, too. You know the pros will be consistent with their choreo – Maks will flub the freestyle – Tony’s will be boring – Derek’s will be amazing…the one wildcard is the viewer vote. That you never know, especially this season when the majority of the contestants are lumped together in the scoring. When it’s that pointless and at the same time predictable, maybe it’s time to make some changes.

Just a thought.

Also, I love the serious tone of Maks’ blog and then at the end: follow me on twitter so you can find out where to buy my stuff. Love it.

Cranscape, I’m a longtime Maks fan who likes the Hope and Maks partnership. You have to not let the dramatics mess with your blood pressure. It’s part and parcel of being on the show.

I know it’s hard to believe, but they really haven’t treated Hope badly, and the show puts a lot of stress on everybody.

* Unless they reveal the real bottom 2, some unlucky couple has to end up in the fake bottom 2 with the real eliminee. As long as they don’t use the same couple over and over, it’s not unfair.
* Aside from Len’s ridiculous rant last week, they’ve fared better in judges’ comments than some other couples.
* Their rehearsal packages are tame compared to what they’ve done to Maks with previous partners.

Believe me, you don’t want your favorites to come across as the Judges’ darlings. That a surefire way to have the voters turn on them like a pack of wolves.

No doubt you’re right about what the real score is, Cidra. Those dynamics aren’t exactly evident to first time viewers though which covers a lot of Hope’s fans. Like it or not, Len’s got a bunch factual thinking sports fans all riled up who have no idea how things played out in past seasons or what the ongoing score or typical treatment is. It looks real enough to people not so close to the show. So a change in tone, should it come from this setup, doesn’t seem unearned in the grand scheme of surface level drama playing out.

He doesn’t have to “play along” with anything – just do his JOB. They’ve got a great dance and a great song to dance to – the ingredients are all there, they have to just not screw it up.

cranscape, you just have to accept that part of that is just how the show is. She’s been getting great edits, frankly, compared to some in the past and the “fake bottom two” actually HELPS couples. I’d much rather they put Ricki and Derek in a fake bottom two than calling them safe first all the time. Hope isn’t some delicate flower that can’t handle all this. Other than that last shot from Len, they’ve been much nicer to her than they have to other celebs in the past.

Heidi, Len’s comments could be a set-up for Hope, but the opposite of what you’re anticipating. When I heard Len’s comments and clearly saw that neither Hope nor Maks was expecting him to say what he said, my 1st thought was the show was setting Hope up to get canned – and blame it on lack of committment/distraction. Voters who aren’t particular fans of either Hope or Maks could decide not to bother throwing any votes their way if she’s not committed to the show. Each week one or more judges seems to find something discouraging to say to Hope and Maks, and the show already put them in fake jeopardy. Now you could be right that the show has decided to turn that around next week if she and Maks have been doing well in the votes in spite of the discouraging words directed towards them. I hope you’re right and I hope I’m wrong.

Also agreed with what Maks said about the show losing its dignity to an extent. And I blame that on the judges (each is guilty to varying degrees) and ultimately on the producers of the show. The pros and celebs are certainly not perfect, but if you’re going to do a reality tv competition, then most people’s inherent desire for a certain fairness in competition is going to kick in. The judges need to stop playing with and manipulating the scores and let the chips fall where they may (and I’m okay with my favorite going home based on one bad dance if I know that the judges’ scoring will be fair), and go back to giving constructive criticism instead of this utter rot/foolishness that’s coming out of their mouths now.

Again, cranscape – you’re not thinking this through. What did YOU do after Len said what he did?? You voted like hell, did you not? I rest my case. 🙂 If she goes home after that, it just means she wasn’t getting the votes to begin with.

Sandra, I actually agree with your comments. I think the producers want to be able to blame her for being voted off. I’ve read many comments on twitter, FB, and even youtube, and people actually believe that she’s not committed to the show, so why vote for her. I hope I’m wrong as well.

I don’t think I’m arguing against that sentiment. I’m just saying if they are suddenly nicer to her next week, manufactured nice even, I wouldn’t mind. I think they are skating a fine line between Hope’s fans getting riled up to vote more and general fans thinking she isn’t worth bothering with because of what they say every week. I would prefer less drama all around and more focus on beginner dancers getting better, getting good feedback, etc but that would be a different show.

Maksim is such a crybaby. Like everyone he’s perfectly okay with playing the producers games when it benefits him. When it goes south for him he plays the sympathy card. Hope will redeem herself this week, the judges will coo, and Maksim will once again be happy, until the next time it goes south again. At this point nothing short of predictable.

you can blame the judges all you want…they have a clear role in this reality show..just as the pros have. the fact that the TPTB (suddenly) decided to air Len’s comments is just another way of mass manipulation…and so is Maks’s blog …I agree that Hope is a sweetheart and she has a lot of fans now….when you like somebody is easy to see them better then they really are..don’t throw rocks at me…i am just saying what i see from a neutral point of view..considering that i’m in Europe and i didn’t see the FIFA Women’s World Cup…i get that a lot of people love her for what she did on the field and it’s only fair…but she really isn’t a great dancer..and she received good comments from the judges until now. It seems to me like the TPTB are trying to help her by airing that comment..people get angry so they vote…for her…calling a team safe always so fast sends also a message…don’t worry, don’t go crazy voting, they are getting good scores, they are safe…they air what they need to get ratings and votes. again, sorry if a offended anyone…this is just my opinion

Cranscape, I’m with you, let’s move to a lighter note. The GDLA interview was so cute. Hope saying “I’m blushing so much watching this right now” and Maks responding with “you were blushing during the dance!” I would have been blushing too. Doing all that slithering and gyrating took guts IMO. 😛

“I firmly believe that they are setting this up to be Hope’s week all the way around and if it doesn’t turn out like that it won’t be because of the judges.”

DWTS minds think alike! Given the faux bottom two, Len’s comments, and the fact she’s getting two of her likely strongest dances back to back, it would seem there’s an attempt to build momenturm and set her up for the finals. Watch, she’ll be Len’s darling by then.

Katarina, Maks is not complaining; he’s just stating things as they are. And as far as playing the game, he gets that it’s a game and says that in the blog. He was angry a year ago about Brandy, but he saw the value of popularity and a truly charismatic partner when he had Kirstie. Of course, Kirstie may have been given a free pass or 2, but she was no Chaz; she was an EXCELLENT dancer.

Sandra, I also worry that the show is trying to force her out, what with the nasty comments from Len and the fake-bottom-2. Hines Ward was never in the fake bottom 2 or even in jeopardy as far as I can remember. It’s not fair that she should even have to redeem herself from last week, since her cute foxtrot was at least the 3rd best dance of the week (Rob’s paso was way overscored, don’t you all agree?). She was already on a high, but given her ability to pick up steps quickly and show precise footwork, hopefully the tango will be a high point for her.

I definitely feel for Maks. He finally had the popular celebrity in Kirstie and still couldn’t win. No offense to Ricki as she’s obviously a competent dancer, but I don’t like seeing someone even remotely Kirstie’s “type” coming in and being handed the win when (a) she’s not the best dancer, and (b) her partner has already won three times compared to others’ 0 wins. Maks never gets the ringers let alone the popular women who can dance. The judges pick favorites week 1 and make sure Maks can’t win.

Unfortunately, I hope Maks truly doesn’t give up hope on this season. Hope is doing a terrific job for a complete novice. She has a good backstory and a legitimate fanbase. Hope could have the fanbase to make it to the end, unless Maks knows something we don’t know, and it feels like it from what he wrote in the blog and from the fact that Chaz has survived this long anyway.

There are too many parallels to S11 – Hough a guaranteed finalist, another celebrity is the true fan favorite, and then there’s the Bristol Palin factor. The difference is that, as weak as the dancers are this year, Chaz can’t dance, plain and simple. It’s time for the judges to SCORE HIM DOWN and give him the 6s he deserves for his samba while everyone else gets 8s or above, artificially inflated or not. They’ve done it before (Cloris Leachman; the situation with Ralph Macchio and Chelsea Kane last season; Marie Osmond in the finale). If Chaz can still survive that, even with all the remaining celebs having legit fanbases, then we’re screwed.

As far as Hope & Maks go in the time being, they need to pad their rehearsal segments with gimmicks so as to prevent anything negative from making the live shows. Why doesn’t Kirstie come and visit?!?!

So Zach..let me get this clear: 1. Ricki shouldn’t win because she’s not the best dancer or because Derek won too many times? 2. you said it: Maks finally had the popular celebrity in Kirstie and still couldn’t win. who’s fault is that? 3. Maks never gets the ringers let alone the popular women who can dance. sorry??? Hope Solo, Brandy, Kirstie, Erin Andrews. He could have won 4 times until now…but he didn’t. Not with the real great dancer, not with the good beautiful dancer, not with the popular dancer…seems like a pattern to me.4.The judges pick favorites week 1 and make sure Maks can’t win. don’t think that they have this power…no matter what the score is… ultimately it’s the viewers’ choice …if the viewers decide that someone is worth saving …they vote.

@Zach – I didn’t imply Maksim was ignorant to the game but that he’s mum when it works for him. And I believe Elara made an excellent point in that Maksim’s blog is probably just another element of the game. In fact ITA with everything Elara said.

Zach, that ringer bullshit doesnt fly here – by my count maks has gotten just as many ringers/dancers as Derek has, he just can’t win with them. Anyone with half a brain can see this…or they will when I finish my series on the subject. Maks has been handed dancers or ringers time after time after time and still can’t win. Period.

Maks hasn’t been handed ringers with a fanbase. Derek to his credit seemed to have a built-in fanbase the minute he joined DWTS, but he has never been given a dog like Maks has (Debi Mazar, the unpopular Denise Richards), and he has been given plenty of ringers where no one else came close (Brooke, Nicole, and Jennifer frankly all fit that description, even though Maks had some of his best partners with Erin and Brandy).

The one partner Maks had who was clearly a great dancer was Mel B., but she lacked a strong American fanbase, plus she wasn’t far out in front of the other celebs.

Yes, Maks has had his fair share of strong partners and appealing partners. But he’s never been given someone who was both really popular with American audiences and heads-and-tails the best dancer of her season. Each of Derek’s wins were with celebs with some built-in appeal, but really they were also clearly the best dancers. Maks could have won with Nicole Scherzinger too!

I haven’t seen Kirstie’s tweets about Hope! She seems to be dancing around the world, but she needs to haul ass into that ballroom! 🙂

I’m sorry, I’m not complaining about Hough but about the pairing of partners in the first place. It goes back to what Cidra said in the very 1st post – we may see a lot of our favorite pros leave after this season because they’re getting older and getting more frustrated with the same old charade.

Again, Derek has a built-in fanbase and can make anybody a better dancer. But overweight and at 60 years old, Kirstie is probably the exception. If Kirstie couldn’t win with Maks, Kirstie couldn’t have won with Derek.

You can’t say Maks had the ringers with Brandy or Erin when Derek had Jennifer and NICOLE those seasons. Please. I’m not buying it. What I’m seeing is that Derek has won both in a competitive season where he nevertheless had the strongest dancer the show has ever seen (Nicole) and in 2 less competitive seasons where, regardless of fanbases, his partners were clearly the best dancers left and the judges scored them accordingly (Brooke, Jennifer). The one time Maks had a partner the judges arguably thought was the best of her season was with Mel B., and even then she wasn’t far out in front. They scored her 1 point higher than Helio in the finale, and Helio was legitimately good.

Maks can’t control the competition. It’s not his fault – choreography- or personality-wise – that he’s never been given a partner who was leagues ahead of everyone else.

And – last post on this – Elara38, I’m sorry. I absolutely love DWTS and I don’t see that ever changing. But don’t tell me the judges don’t have a lot of power to determine who wins. Ever since the Mel B. season, the judges have gone out of their way to score their favorites comfortably at the top in the finales. I’m not saying it’s wrong; I’m just saying it happens.

you know what…i won’t take that ..i am so sick of this line..please…you call Debi and Denise a..dog…sorry but at first view Ricki could have been a Debi (43 yo not in the best physical shape..she has been no.1 for 3 weeks – she is suddenly a ringer too!!) and Denise…she is gorgeous, young and a former Bond girl…come on!! who knew she couldn’t dance!!!and then Brooke…she was a model…they tend do to not so well in this show…again the question: who knew she COULD dance? and sorry, i forgot to mention the best dancer Maks had: Mel B – just as ringer as Nicole…and i am sorry, but i disagree with you. i am sure Maks wouldn’t have won with Nicole…he would have found a way to mess it up…it was a close call with Derek too…considering that Evan was in the final. and Jennifer..i adore her…but she is not a ringer..a good dancer? of course!! why a ringer? because she did Dirty Dancing 25 years ago? right!!! and she is in her 50’s and she had a lot of psychical problems…Maks with his temperament …couldn’t have handled the situation! Derek won because he can deliver, he makes his partners shine, he choreographs amazing routines and he has loyal fans!! end of story…yeah…this seems to me like a bad bad case of sour grapes!!

You are still way wrong, Zach – the only one of Derek’s partners who had a fanbase was Jennifer Grey – and she was only a ringer in that sense, that she had a fanbase. Brooke was NOT a ringer – not even close. She was a naturally talented person who danced well – and she was unknown when she went on the show, unlike Erin or Brandy. You are practicing some serious revisionist history here – Nicole was not “popular” either. You are making excuses for Derek winning and Maks not winning. Mel B, Erin and Brandy were just as popular as Nicole. ON PAPER, Maks was given just as good of partners (even better) than Derek was. If you were handed a Denise Richards and Derek is handed a Lil’ Kim, before the show started who do you think would win?? Denise Richards of course. You can’t use hindsight and a good record to say that Maks was never given a great partner and all of Derek’s partners were great….unless you’re 12 years old and don’t understand the concept of hindsight, fanbases, natural talent and training.

Your logic just doesn’t work. Just because Derek also had good dancers the same seasons that Maks did doesn’t make Maks’ dancer less competent or less ringer-like. That’s simply idiotic. Explain to me how the producers knew ahead of time that Denise would suck and that Brooke would be great? You can’t tell. It’s luck of the draw. Now engage your brain and think about this. Maks had the following partners:
Tia Carrere
Willa Ford (ringer)
Lalia Ali (very good dancer)
Mel B (ringer)
Misty May Traynor (very good dancer who unfort got hurt)
Denise Richards
Debi Mazar
Erin Andrews (ringer, well known)
Brandy (Great dancer, danced in a movie just like Jen Gray)
Kirstie Alley (Extremely popular with huge fanbase)
Hope Solo (popular, he ASKED for her)

Gee, Maks got one older partner in Debi, Derek got TWO older partners, one with screws in her neck who could be seriously injured if he dropped her. Denise Richards – how the hell would you or anyone know that she wouldn’t be as good as either Jennie or Shannon? She was younger than both of them, she was just a clutz – poor little maksi poo. Joanna? A model who couldn’t walk when Derek met her. Lil Kim? Fresh out of prison with a fanbase that did NOT vote for DWTS any more than Brandy’s did and she wasn’t as good a dancer as Brandy was. I think anyone with any lick of intelligence at all looks at those two lists of dancers and does NOT see where Maks has been disadvantaged in the slightest – on the contrary, he’s done better than Derek, CERTAINLY better than Tony, Jonathan or Louis.

At some point, you Maks fans are going to have to wise up and admit that Maks has not hurt for partners. He just doesn’t know how to WIN.

You are so off-base! I’m sorry, but don’t take a thread about Maks’s legitimate frustrations with the show and turn it in a Derek Hough lovefest! I’m not disputing the man’s genius as a choreographer, teacher, and dancer. He earned every won of his wins. He could have gone farther with Shannon Elizabeth, should have gone farther with Lil’ Kim, and should have made the finals with Jennie Garth and Joanna Krupa! But he’s never been given an old partner who couldn’t dance. The least known or liked of his partners was Joanna Krupa, but she was a really strong dancer, and the judges (appropriately so) insulated her for several weeks with strong scores.

Derek did deliver, but what do you mean, how could they know Jennifer could dance? It’s a lot more complex than that. I bet Nicole, Jennifer, and Ricki requested/demanded Derek. The producers/TPTB know going in which celebrities have more dance ability than others. They audition them and score them.

As far as Debi and Denise go, Denise was gangly from the start. Debi had some fly girl experience, but who would think she’d be very appealing? Neither of them were exactly plum choices for Maks right from the start, even if you couldn’t have predicted how fast Denise would go out.

Mel B. was a wonderful dancer but still doesn’t come close to Nicole, who majored in dance in college and did a lot more dance moves with the Pussycat Dolls than Mel ever did with the Spice Girls.

Now who’s to say if Maks would have fucked things up with Nicole or anyone else. I’m not even disputing that or Derek’s talent. I’m only saying it’s a shame the wealth can’t be spread around more evenly. And if the judges do it again with Ricki this year – I’m sorry, but J.R. is clearly a better dancer!

Thanks, Elara. Maks is nothing other than the dirt beneath the high holy Derek feet. THAT’S what that post comes across sounding like to a Maks fan… not praising Derek but putting down Maks again and again and again. I happen to agree with a lot of what Zach has been saying. I also happen to think that TPTB have a very good idea what kind of dancer the celebs are going to be and more importantly these days, what kind of viewer draw they’re going to be when they sign them. It’s not as much of a crapshoot as so many of us would like to believe. It’s TV, it’s a business and it’s all about money. I’m just tired of hearing of how useless Maks – or indeed any of the other pros are when compared to Derek. And it makes me very sad because I really enjoy this board otherwise. And you know what? I believe that TONY would have won with Jennifer, she was that much of America’s sweetheart.

@Zach – you know what…i am wasting my breath here and saying things that have been already said. a good friend told me to refer you to Heidi’s article “What Do You Mean, I’m A Ringer??” Part 1. i can not say it better then she did.

Okay, Zach, you have just proved that you have the logic skills of a 12 year old and you are not even worth my time. Maks has had plenty of GREAT partners. I’m sick to death of people putting Derek down by saying that he only does well because he’s handed all the great partners.

And Evaine, you’re sick of hear how great Derek is?? Well I’m sick as HELL of hearing that the only reason he does well is because he’s handed all great dancers – which is implying that he doesn’t even have to work for it. Poor little Maks never gets a good partner. MY ASS.

Please, Princess Heidi, I want to enjoy the show as much as the rest of you, and I appreciate Derek as much as the rest of you, but I’m not going to pretend that Maks has had an easy road even if the man can’t choreogrpah a freestyle.

They audition the celebrities ahead of time. They knew it was going to be Denise Richards standing in the way of SHAWN JOHNSON’s MBT. They knew nobody Willa Ford wasn’t going to beat Mario or Emmett or Joey. And they most certainly knew – just like WE ALL KNEW – Nicole would be brilliant. BTW Nicole was one of the most well known celebs to ever do DWTS in the peak of her fame. If she didn’t have a strong fanbase, well, it’s not like she was a complete unknown or not widely popular like Debi and Willa. Brooke Burke was not a complete unknown, but rather an appealing celebrity mom, and Derek WAS overdue at that point, and her competition wasn’t strong enough at all.

I’d just like to see Maks be given THAT partner, that partner you just know from day one is going to be both popular and superior to the competition. I feel Derek has had that partner 3 times already, so time to spread the wealth and give Anna, Lacey, Louis, and Tony those partners too.

Good heavens! It’s getting hot in here. Zach 2.0 and Elara38, I feel you’re talking past each other at this point. You’ve both made some valid points, but I don’t think you’re going to change each others’ minds. Maybe you could agree to disagree. Derek and Maks are both fine dancers, who do their best for their celeb partners and have fiercely loyal fan bases. Derek has had more success winning the MBT, just like Kym has captured the prize and Anna hasn’t been able to. My heart beats faster for Maks and his “bad boy” ways, but I love Derek’s choreo, his goofiness, and the way he always makes his partners look fantastic. I’ve got a girl crush on both feisty Anna and sweet Kym. They’ve all been great to watch, and each of them brings something special and unique to the show. Let’s celebrate that!

Heidi, that’s not fair, you go back and SEE how often I’ve said positive things about Derek over the past months. And no one is saying that Maks hasn’t had great partners. And no one is putting Derek down that I can see. I have NEVER said that Derek only does well because he’s handed the best partners. No one’s said he’s shit choreographer, no one’s said that he doesn’t choreograph to his partner’s strengths. No one has said that!

I think Zach raises some valid points worth some discussion on a DWTS board. Rational, calm discussion without losing respect for any of the dancers or celebrities. It just often seems to me that no one can say that Maks is great, or Mark is great, or Louis is great, or Tony is great… without having to qualify with a “But not as great as Derek.”. It’s discouraging.

@Evaine – come on!! no one, except you, is saying that Maks is nothing other than the dirt beneath the high holy Derek feet. let’s not exaggerate!! and about Maks..i am only telling my opinion…i didn’t think saying what i believe it’s a no-no. and you know what..Tony makes choreographs such boring routines that he couldn’t go in the final with Chynna who is a real good dancer…and for Jen…you have to know how to choreograph without breaking her neck and at same time delivering a good performance!

Sorry, Evaine, I don’t think you’re reading Zach’s comments – He IS saying that Maks hasn’t had great partners and he’s dismissing Derek’s work as simply him benefiting from great partners – hell he called BROOKE a ringer with a big fanbase. If you see those points – well, it rather discounts everything else.

I am NOT having this discussion again because there are few here that seem actually capable of discussing it without dismissing Derek completely. Why do you think that Derek fans get up in arms over this? You may be tired of hearing Maks get dismissed – well Derek fans are sick of it too, and it’s worse because he’s actually won. Maks fans seem to think that because he’s never won, he’s never been given favorable partners.

I never said Brooke was a ringer or had a big fanbase. But I said she was the best dancer of her season and had some built-in appeal that some others wouldn’t have.

I never said that Derek didn’t have to work for his wins, choreograph brilliant routines, choreograph to his partners’ strengths and weaknesses, and so on. I never said that Derek hasn’t taken a number of, if not all, his partners farther than they would have gone with Maks.

I never said Maks hasn’t had good, even great, partners. In fact, Maks has had a good run lately, and it’s time next season for TONY to be given the POPULAR partner and LOUIS the TALENTED partner. ONE LAST TIME, ALL I’M SAYING IS, SPREAD THE WEALTH. IT’S NOT A DIS TO DEREK TO SAY THAT.

#Zach – well….hello there! if you now say you think all that about Derek….why are you debating me? i think he is great too 😀 . what i don’t agree with is the opinion that he doesn’t deserve to win again because he won too many times. that is not a valid reason. if Ricki and Derek continue to do well, they deserve to be in the final, right?

Please Heidi do not insult a 12 yr old, because even a 12yr old would not have made a dumb ass statement like Zach or Evaine made, yes you both are entitled to your opinions but if you are going to, please talk some sense, if Derek always have the ringer as you put it, can either one of you please tell me why it was Kim that won last season and not Marks, Maks, Louis or even Tony, considering Derek wasn’t even on that season, on one had you both gave Derek a compliment but slap it out of his hand in other way. “Derek always gets the ringer” is getting really boring now, please turn over the page or get another book. Just one last question, I take it you both fell to notice JR & Chynna this season yeah, I noticed them and I am all the way in flipping England.

Yes, Zach, you did call Brooke a ringer, and I quote: “he has been given plenty of ringers where no one else came close (Brooke, Nicole, and Jennifer frankly all fit that description, even though Maks had some of his best partners with Erin and Brandy).”

That is calling Brooke a ringer. And by calling even Brooke a ringer, the implication is that Derek only won because he was given all ringers. I think your assignment should be to go back and read all your comments before you comment again – maybe you’ll see why I (and many other fans who aren’t commenting) are so pissed off at you. And now you’re changing the topic to Tony (who had Melissa, Audrina and Chynna – to name three – all VERY talented) and Louis. Make up your mind. Again, how are the producers supposed to know that a Brooke is going to win and an Audrina isn’t?? Even if they actually DID audition them (which they don’t), how would they be able to tell?? Both were unknown, relatively, both were talented dancers – so, how would they know?? Tony was happy as hell to have Chynna – until they got voted off. Chynna was a better dancer than most of the people on the show – yet she’s gone sooner than Chaz, Carson, Rob and other lesser dancers. So….who’s to blame again??

Now how many more times are you going to claim that this is your last post on the subject? By my count you have said that at least four times now.

I am reading Zach’s comments and what I’m getting from them is absolutely NO disrespect towards Derek and his talent, in fact he’s taking pains to state otherwise. I don’t think that either Zach or myself fall into the group of crazy Maks fans that scream and yell silliness and embarass the hell out of the rest of us. Zach’s observations are interesting – I’m not convinced they’re 100% bang on, but then I’m not convinced that ANYONE is 100% bang on in this discussion. There are too many variables to be taken into account.

And that being said, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… I don’t believe that Ricki is the ringer this season – be it fanbase ringer, talent ringer, backstory ringer or any kind of ringer – that’d be JR. So, have Maks and Derek got ‘evenish’ partners this season? I think so, when balancing all the pros and cons of HOPE and RICKI. And do I think that Ricki would do as well with Maks and Hope as well with Derek? You know… I don’t think so. I think, in this case, with these two pros, this season, that TPTB got it right.

Catherine, I may not like what Evaine has had to say on this subject this evening, and I certainly don’t agree with her, but don’t lump her in with the likes of Zach. She’s not the type to dismiss Derek like Zach seems to like to do.

Regardless of whether you want to call certain people ringers or not, there’s no question that Derek has been given some of the best dancers the show has ever seen, and he’s never been given someone old like a Cloris either. I’m sorry if you feel that I was attacking Derek personally because I really didn’t mean to. But I think it’s naive and frankly irresponsible to think that, as talented and flexible as Derek is, that he did all the work. No. He’s had some partners with natural abilities, and that’s the case with Derek more times than with anyone else.

I’ll take back that Brooke was a ringer as I never thought that to be true at the time and really shouldn’t have said it. But I do believe no one came close to her that season, from start to finish. I voted for her, too. Sure, Lance and Warren were good and appealing, but it’s not the same as giving Mel to Maks but knowing that it’s a strong race with lots of people with potential or some experience like Marie Osmond, Jennie Garth, Cameron Mathison, Sabrina Bryan, Helio Castroneves, and Jane Seymour.

Not to take away from Derek’s accomplishments as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, etc., but I think you have to look at the partner pairings of each season relative to each other and recognize that it certainly hasn’t been fair for every pro. (Notice I’m not saying Maks specifically here, but leaving it a GENERAL statement.)

I said give Tony a POPULAR partner, not necessarily a talented one because I recognize he has gotten some good ones in the past. Yeah, I WILL say that Tony’s choreography is boring and he doesn’t have a personal fanbase, and he has hurt his partners in the past. But Chynna Phillips didn’t have a strong enough fanbase coming in. I could have told you that.

An Audrina will never win. Everyone knows a young girl from The Hills won’t win. Maybe you didn’t know with Audrina, but you had to know that with Kristin, even if she still went out earlier than expected.

Let me just say this: There are people out there who, regardless of their opinions of Derek, watch the show for Maks. I’m not one of them, as I watch the show for the show, but my mom is, and she doesn’t llike to watch when Maks is voted off early. There are other pros than Derek, you know. I never “changed the topic.” I keep circling around the same criticism I have with the casting, but you keep wanting to turn this into a snide attack on my logical skills or a bullying match or a ridiculous need to defend someone who has 3 MBTs. I AM a fan of Derek. It’s people like you who turn me off against people.

Could we call a truce tonight and agree to disagree please? It’s getting kind of heated around here and I, for one, don’t want to escalate the discussion and make it worse. I have an opinion, but I’ll save it for another time when cooler heads prevail. 🙂 Suffice to say, that DWTS must be a pretty damn fine show to have such die-hard fans! 😛

Maks has never been given someone old like Cloris either!! No one has except Corky – you’re not even making sense any more. You continue to dismiss Derek and rely on hindsight – here’s a little clue as to why I can’t even read your comments and take them seriously (you claim to not mean it, but you have to learn to use your words better). Here are a series of Zach quotes that show why he’s managed to create a stir, possibly on purpose (as for the rest of your post above, I didn’t read it as it’s more illogical rambling based on hindsight):

Zach: No offense to Ricki as she’s obviously a competent dancer, but I don’t like seeing someone even remotely Kirstie’s “type” coming in and being handed the win when (a) she’s not the best dancer, and (b) her partner has already won three times compared to others’ 0 wins. Maks never gets the ringers let alone the popular women who can dance. The judges pick favorites week 1 and make sure Maks can’t win. (Pretty much claims Maks never gets ringers or popular women when he’s had both)

There are too many parallels to S11 – Hough a guaranteed finalist, another celebrity is the true fan favorite, (there we go again – Derek is guaranteed a finalist)

he has been given plenty of ringers where no one else came close (Brooke, Nicole, and Jennifer frankly all fit that description, even though Maks had some of his best partners with Erin and Brandy) (Brook is a ringer?)

Each of Derek’s wins were with celebs with some built-in appeal, but really they were also clearly the best dancers
.You can’t say Maks had the ringers with Brandy or Erin when Derek had Jennifer and NICOLE those seasons. (oh, really, so because Derek had better dancers, Maks’ ringers don’t Count??)

I’m only saying it’s a shame the wealth can’t be spread around more evenly. And if the judges do it again with Ricki this year – I’m sorry, but J.R. is clearly a better dancer! (implication here is that the judges favor Derek’s partners helping him along to a win that is unearned)

but I’m not going to pretend that Maks has had an easy road even if the man can’t choreogrpah a freestyle. (poor maks, always given bad partners)

So, you essentially claim that Derek was guaranteed all his wins. He was handed the best dancers in a season or he might win (this season) because the judges just WANT him to. So, never mind that when Nicole won they were competing against an extremely well known, very good dancer in EVAN LYSACEK and also a well known woman who was a dancer in college (Erin) – no, Derek was guaranteed a win, even though from MY perspective the only time they gave Derek an actual ringer was when two other, better known ringers were on the show, whereas Mark was handed two ringers with little obvious competition – Gilles being a complete surprise.

You, Zach, use a series of key words and phrases designed to dismiss and belittle – then complain when I do the same to you. Perhaps it is unintentional – but unless you choose your words more carefully, expect more of the same.

So stop attacking me. How do you feel about the fact that Louis Van Amstel hasn’t been given a really strong partner, or Lacey, huh? Any thoughts? That was the subject at hand, but you kept changing it back to Derek.

She deleted it but I’m going to rewrite it AGAIN without the admittedly snide part: “You can’t say Maks had the ringers with Brandy or Erin when Derek had Jennifer and NICOLE those seasons. (oh, really, so because Derek had better dancers, Maks’ ringers don’t Count??)”

-No, I do NOT call Erin a ringer when she was up against Nicole. The differential was too big.

I’m attacking your opinion. Actually, you keep making it about Derek and you have from your first post.

In case you’ve forgotten, Lacey had Lance Bass her first season and went to the final with him. As for Louis, you were talking about Maks – maybe they would give him a good partner if he weren’t such as ass half the time.

And I am saying that claiming someone was NOT a ringer just because there were better dancers on the show is very, very convenient and very illogical. That’s a new definition of ringer just to suit your purposes. Now move on like you claimed you would ten posts ago.

I saw your article and even you identify there is a spectrum of ringers. Fair enough. All I’ve ever tried to articulate is that it’s unfortunate for Maks that one of his best partners, Erin, was in a season when Derek’s partner, Nicole, was a total superringer. Can you see the point or not?

What about him Zach?? You don’t actually get to walk away from your comments just because you lost.

It was not about Louis. You think he should get someone who’s good on paper just because he hasn’t won?? Well, guess what? He has also had good partners. Lisa Rinna, Monique Coleman, to name two. Kelly Osborne ended up being a huge fan favorite and went to the FINAL over Derek and Joanna. Here’s another point you will have to accept, Zach – Derek, Maks, Mark and even Tony are considered top tier Pros. Louis should just thank his lucky stars when he gets a partner – he’s been left off the show as often as he’s been on. And that’s about TV – if he ain’t got it, why would they give him partners like they give Maks??

What about who? I’ve lost track of this argument.
As far as Lacey goes, I just think she’s overdue for a traditionally good partner. Like a Gilles.
As far as Louis goes, wow, that’s just mean, even if true.

But she really wasn’t. Pussycat Dolls did lots of synchronized dancing. Nicole majored in dance in college. I know Mel studied performing arts and had some dance experience in a club before she was famous, but I personally don’t feel that her actual physical dance experience and dance knowledge was as substantive as Nicole’s going in. Regardless, Maks didn’t win with Mel B. and that was like five years ago. Derek just won a year ago, and I’d like to see Karina take it with J.R., unless he truly screws up or Ricki (or anyone else) somehow breaks out as an amazing natural dancer, especially in the freestyle. JMO.

So here’s my thoughts on the Nicole, Evan and Erin thing, since it keeps coming up in these discussions. I wouldn’t term Erin a ringer. A possible contender? Yeah. Not really a ringer. (God, her voice was enough to get her voted off the first week, the poor thing.) Evan? Yeah, ringer, definitely and I think… had he been dancing with Cheryl or Kym who both have more DWTS experience (and at the time at least, a bigger fanbase) than Anna, I think he MAY have had a chance at taking out Nicole. Was Nicole a ringer? Yep. And I honestly think that ONE of the reasons she won was because Derek was her partner and Derek brought a voting base with him – one to compete with Evan’s. The dancing was amazing ALL AROUND – well, except for Erin’s damned floppy arms and that slight awkwardness she never quite got rid of. Derek is a better choreographer than Anna and I honestly remember finding myself wondering if Anna was intimidated by Evan’s experience in the skating world. And yeah, of the 3, Anna, Maks and Derek, Derek is the best freestyle choreographer.

And all that being said, Erin and Maks’ freestyle remains one of my favorite DWTS moments of all the seasons, even though I knew it wasn’t going to get them anywhere near the trophy. 🙂

(God, I’ve wanted to say that for a LONG time! *LOL*)

And…. you know what? Unfortunately, I don’t think either Tony or Louis will be given an obviously ‘strong’ in all categories celeb because… they just don’t pull viewers the way Derek, Maks and Mark do.

Life ain’t fair and neither is DWTS. Never has been, never will. But there’s nothing wrong with criticizing the inherent unfairness even when it means you won’t change the channel. With that, I’m out. I’ve expressed my opinions, and of course, even when they’re justifiable feelings rooted in some fact and some frustration, they can only be opinions. It’s my opinion that I’d like to see Maks win one day, and I’d like to see the judges score these contestants a little more harshly so the weaker ones go out before any more of the stronger ones (except for Nancy and Carson – I will admit my personal bias there!). With that, I’m out.

So, Zach, you ARE saying that Derek shouldn’t be allowed to win because he won recently and that Maks’ ringers don’t count because they weren’t as big of ringers as Nicole. Bullshit. I’ve never claimed that Nicole wasn’t a ringer – she certainly was a ringer. But that doesn’t eliminate Evan and Erin from ringer status. Erin is a low level ringer because she had experience with choreography and Evan was a much bigger ringer than Nicole was. Period.

Nicole being a ringer does NOT make Mel B a non-ringer – I don’t even know what you’re trying to say there. She was a ringer. She was NOT competing against Nicole. Say it with me now, you can do it: Maks has had ringers. Just because Maks hasn’t won, does NOT mean he hasn’t had ringers – he HAS. It’s is paragraphs like this one that have people pulling out their hair – you aren’t making sense and you are the one that isn’t being fair. This show is just not lumped into “People who win = Ringers” and “People who don’t win = non-ringers”. Next you’ll try to tell me that Mya wasn’t a ringer because she didn’t win.

Mya was definitely a ringer. I’m not sure she ever could have won though. I don’t know if Donny Osmond should be considered a ringer, but he really had everything going for him.

I don’t think Mel B. is a ringer to the extent Nicole was. No way you’re ever going to convince me to the contrary.

You are right in that my argument is based on a lot of hindsight bias. Had Maks won with Kirstie – had they scored her high enough to win and she did win – I wouldn’t be feeling as frustrated for him this season. I’d be just as adamant as I am now that J.R. is the best dancer and should win, and I’d even more willingly say Karina is overdue for a win!

But Maks didn’t win with Kirstie or with anyone else for that matter. Looking back, it’s easy to see why certain people had the mix of fan support and dance ability relative to their competition to win, and why others didn’t. That’s exactly what I was doing – explaining why, looking back, certain celebrities were great and others not as great. Maks has had ringers. Maybe they thought he could have won with Mel or Kirstie but for whatever reason he didn’t. Let’s just say that I’d like to see Maks get the next ice skater or gymnast or Pussycat Doll. 🙂

And I get that he picked Hope and everything and think it’s great that he got a partner he wanted, a partner unlike many if not all of his other partners, who is actually doing really well. It’s just a shame that it will likely be another season of Maks not winning, through no fault of his own.

If I’ve made you or anyone else pull your hair (though I’m slightly skeptical of the other hair-pullers, Heidi, as you’re the one (other than me, of course) who is keeping the argument going, and Maks does have a lot of fans who feel the same way I do), then I’m sorry for it, but this can’t be the first time a dismayed Maks fan (or fan of anyone else in the history of DWTS) has complained, either over-the-top or quite logically, either baselessly or not, about either Derek or the inherent unfairness of the partner assignment system. I hope you can see why you had me pulling my hair out too, because you were so fervently attacking every point I made instead of grasping the big picture. And then when you took a look at the big picture, with Louis as an example, you said tough shit, which may be the way the system actually works, but doesn’t mean I have no right to criticize it without feeling like my opinion isn’t merited or commonly felt.

Sandra, I also worry that the show is trying to force her out, what with the nasty comments from Len and the fake-bottom-2. Hines Ward was never in the fake bottom 2 or even in jeopardy as far as I can remember. It’s not fair that she should even have to redeem herself from last week, since her cute foxtrot was at least the 3rd best dance of the week (Rob’s paso was way overscored, don’t you all agree?). She was already on a high, but given her ability to pick up steps quickly and show precise footwork, hopefully the tango will be a high point for her

I agree with what you said up there …. Zach Hines was the first ever to be saved was never a botton 2 already ….. and the judges chose their favorite of the season that is Ricky

Imo, Maksim will have to wait another season if he’s going to host up the MBT. Lol, Hope calls him a grilie man and he says that he’s butted heads with her more than any other partner he’s had. Some might say he was joking, but imo, I don’t think so. At the end of this season, hoping JR and Karina are the last team standing, JR imo, is the total package! He can dance, he’s popular and he’s very insperational, what not to love about this young man.

I’m keeping the argument going?? You’re back again, aren’t you Zach. You don’t get to keep trying for the last word and then claim I’m the one keeping it going. It takes two to tango.

Hope is an Olympic level soccer player who is at the height of her fame AND he picked her. Before the season started, the discussion was FINALLY Maks got a contender and Derek got the overweight, older competitor. Funny how things change when it turns out Hope is not much of a dancer and Derek manages to turn Ricki into one. Hilarious. If it weren’t so SAD, pathetic and typical.

You’re the one not grasping the picture, Zach and you conveniently ignored all the times I quoted you that showed you to be behaving quite contrary to what you claimed you were intending. Ignored it completely. No response? And yes, we’ve had this discussion before, which is why it is so annoying to have a newbie come in here and stir it all up again using such absurdly faulty logic and bias. Yet you come in here and try to avoid valid points made by me and then complain when I don’t grasp your picture – it doesn’t occur to you that I reject it BECAUSE all your points were so faulty.

It was commonly felt, in Germany in the 1940’s, that Jews were not worthy of living and breathing the same air as everyone else – my point is that just because a group of people share an opinion that does not make it logical, valid or noble.

Now I’m done with you. I’m an idiot to have spent this much time on you to begin with.

I just hate it when others try to say Derek shouldn’t win because he’s already won before and he gets the ringers and no one else does. That is such bull. Why can’t people accept how good Derek is at his craft? And even if he’s not your favorite, why wouldn’t people want the best and most deserving people to win DWTS? …*and keep in mind, I’m just as big as a Maks fan as others here that are posting. But, when and if Maks wins, I want him to him because he and his partner deserve it. I don’t want him to be given a ringer to do so. Derek has been only given one ringer and that was Nicole. Even so, there was stiff competition and she was going up against other ringers at the time. So, in the end, it was all fair imo.

Well, we’ve achieved Godwin’s law now so in the grand tradition of the internet the topic is toast and we all feel a little dirty.

Back to Hope and Maks… JR is a natural dancer, no doubt we could see that from day one, and Derek has already proven he’s got a magic trick going for Ricki that will likely not get old. Are people really worried about the top two?

That said, I am hoping that Maks and Hope stick around a while. I like seeing her get better every week and if you knew her before the show you’d know she was the most tomboy of tomboys. She never made any claims to anything that would make you think she could dance and she also said from day one that the athlete track record wouldn’t work for her since her goalkeeper training is the anti-dance. Not comparable to football or skating which draw from dancing. Most of us fans prior to the show were seriously afraid she’d break an ankle or re-damage her injured shoulder that is still being rehabbed or be so embarrassing it would actually damage her career which women’s soccer is literally holding on to for dear life. We expected it could be that bad. The fact she’s proven us wrong and can put on an entertaining routine has been a revelation rather than a sure thing. So to me her improving each week is more compelling than tossing a coin on JR or Derek for the glittery ball. Heck, watching Carson sword fight and dig deep to find ways of being entertaining is more fun to me than being overly worried about the final two since they already seem set in stone early on and there doesn’t seem to be a struggle there or surprise improvements or anything.

Now that the ranks have been thinned down who would make the more interesting 3rd place? I want that to be Hope and looking at who is left I don’t see why she couldn’t actually work her way to that spot, barring voting shenanigans or a complete face plant.

I am the last Zack im just now using a K because you stole me name…I only am trying to take a BREAK from DWTS not leave the blog but I want to leave this site with MY name in atleast ok regard. Plus Miss Heidi ” with reason ” probably is about tired of me for awhile. I know I can be a handfull. 🙂 I’m sure all the bloggers need a break from me. 🙂

Cranscape? I love your posts. You are such a voice of reason! 🙂 There’s no reason that Hope can’t get that 3rd spot, but I would also prepare myself to see that spot taken by Carson or Chaz (my opinion only) and hell, I’m not even sure Ricki’s place is guaranteed in the top 3. Fanbases have been known to go vote crazy and I’m not ready to leave Hope’s or Ricki’s fate in the judges’ scoring hands. 🙂

Goddamn, but I’d love to see Maks win the trophy this year with the partner who best suits his personality and outlook on life. I really like Hope a lot. I like her tenacity and I like how she’s ready to put herself out there for her sport. She’s SO not used to this TYPE of attention and scrutiny, and I think she’s handling it really well. 🙂

You’re not alone, Evaine! I agree it could come down to Carson or Chaz, but really it’s anyone’s game, isn’t it? Everyone left has some semblance of a fanbase, some reason for being there. I don’t think David, Rob, or Nancy will make it to the finals, but nothing with this cast will surprise me.

I’m with you Cranscrape @#92. I didn’t really know anything about Hope until DWTS (I didn’t really follow soccer either). But I really like her and I’m totally rooting for her to get better. I was a huge tomboy and I enjoy watching the transformation.

Geez I’m not even a Derek fan and I am so tried of debate. Same opinion different poster (or may not be) every day. Can we not have this debate everyday? No one is changing their opinion obviously. No offense to anyone

Geez I’m not even a Derek fan and I am so tried of debate. Same opinion different poster (or may not be) every day. Can we not have this debate everyday? No one is changing their opinion obviously. No offense to anyone but the debate in general.

Cranscape, I get that you’re upset but there’s no reason to rag about it everyday. It happened last week a new of week of dwts starts look forward to that.

I didn’t read all the comments yet, but, have just one question: Maks is saying that DwtS should be a Dance Show not a popularity show, etc, etc… Did he watch last season, as I did? Specifically Week 7, a jive by Kirstie Alley… Don’t know if he was there, can you tell me?

=p

Man, do your job, talk less, focus on Hope. Forget about everything else. DwtS is a competition where you can’t do a mistake, that can be a too hard foxtrot, a non force paso doble or too much big non-dance beginning on a cha cha…

You are 5 years on this business and didn’t understand this yet?

I by myself, vote for who i want to see on competition, bc of dance or personality until week 7… after that, i just vote for dance. but that’s me. can you blame me, because of it? c’mon… =/

@Zach – Do you really think it’s Maks’s fault that Hope isn’t a better dancer? – don’t know about Maks’s fault ..but he did it to himself! he chose Hope…what other pro has got the chance to choose his/her star. So, Maks is choosing his star, Derek gets the woman in her 40’s (again may i add) who wants to slim down (don’t get me wrong, i love Ricki..i am just repeating what she said in her interviews)…And you are still complaining about how Maks is being disadvantaged… .And when Derek succeeds in turning his star into a dancer….you go and say it’s not fair that he wins again …because he has won too many times….and your logic is….help me…..because i really don’t get it!

Zach 2, I think it’s sad how you try to tell others here that we can’t bring up Hough Love (or that this is a Derek Hough site) when you brought him up in your first post. We all (including Heidi) have a right to talk about and defend our favorite dancers….especially if someone brings them up.

Heidi never once said anything against Jews either. She would never do that. She is not a prejudiced person. Her comment on Germans against Jews at one time was to explain that even if it’s a large group of people that share the same opinion (IE: Hitler and his army against Jews), makes it valid or right.

Please do not call this blog ‘stupid’ anymore either. If you find yourself banned at some point or your posts deleted, you’ll know why.

IMO
The fact that Maks has not yet won is a mix of several factors one one which is entirely Maks himself and his stubbornness. He is becoming more open to critique lately but early on it would just make him rage aimlessly and influence his choreography AND add tension to his relationship with a partner.

Other factors are not something he can influence but maybe just as important. One is pure luck, not to be underestimated. Another is a fact that judges do prefer Derek’s choreo the most BUT Derek has also been one of the more consistent pros choreography wise.

It is Derek who is the real ringer, not so much his partners. And that’s a lot coming from my mouth because my personal preference is NO ringers at all. I hated how good Nicole, Jennifer, Mel B, Kristi etc. were from the start. I takes the fun away from watching someone learn how to dance.

From the perspective of Louis or Jonathan it is both Derek and Maks (and Mark) who are given partners with more potential. And who is up in arms about THAT?

@Vogue
Well, yes, people can be jealous. But I can also understand how Derek can rub some people the wrong way and that’s way they take it out on him with saying he’s the golden boy and he’s getting the best partners. I’m not condoning it I’m just saying I can understand it more.

Derek, much like his sister, gives the impression of being very focused and ambitious, less personable. As I’ve said before a lot of his partners seem to give that business-like vibe more than appearing to just be themselves and learn in a way that’s comfortable for them. I think these women are in awe of his capabilities and become SO focused on doing things right that it’s sometimes hard to see how they’re having fun while doing it. And fun is a big part of DWTS or at least it should be.

Lenka – it’s called a discussion or an argument. They happen. If you don’t like the fact that people disagree, don’t read.

Trenta, I’m sick as fucking hell of this conversation too, believe me. But I’m not one to let fallacy slide. One of my greatest faults. But I’m so sick of the bull spread by some fans and people accepting it as fact (gee, sounds just like politics) that I don’t let it slide any more – in politics OR DWTS.

The thing is, I still believe what I said before- the tide is changing a bit and DWTS is becoming more about personalities, less about dancing.

Which could eventually change who the real pro ringer is. In judges minds it will probably still be Derek but in the public mind it is possible that someone else outweighs the judges opinion. And if anyone has that chance it’s Maks. If he can be patient enough to wait and see if it happens and stop unnecessarily dissing other couples.

I think you truly can get a better insight into what a person is really like when partnered with Maks (or Anna, Kym, Karina, Lacey..) versus partnered with Derek (or Mark). And if I’m right and the audience wants to see plenty of personality then they would more likely vote for Maks then for Derek.

As I said before, it’s just a theory and I could be totally off base with it, but I think the show is at the stage when it’s changing and evolving (evolving implies positive change but we’ll see about that) and the direction is yet to be seen.

Wow, sasa – you and I are actually sharing a brain this morning!! You should be scared. 🙂 (Not on the “less personable” part – we’ll never agree on that – what came first, the chicken (focused partners) or the egg (they are given to Derek because they ARE focused).

You are right – Derek, Maks and (to a lesser extent these days) Mark are the ringers. People ASK for them. Jennifer, Nicole and Ricki all asked for Derek, Kirstie and Erin (and others – probably Brandy) asked for Maks. I’m sure that Mark has had this happen too, but I don’t know for sure of any specific instances like I do for Maks and Derek. When you have the people who the producers REALLY want on the show asking for certain pros, they’re going to get what the want. Period.

And, I was talking to someone the other day saying that, at some point, the producers might consider letting Derek and Maks go because they are now the stars and it DOES weight the competition in their favor, from a voting perspective – despite the fact that Maks hasn’t won, he HAS been in the final three more often than Derek has – fact. I tend to put Cheryl in this group as well. So, when do you say “Okay, these guys are too big for this show?” Will they EVER say that, or do they like the fact that they have large groups of women power voting for them which equals hits to their site, which turns into revenue??

I still go back to the fact (and you will see it in an upcoming post) that this Hope thing really looks to me like they are trying to move her UP the leaderboard, not down. I think THEY think that she should be in the final three – and with the departure of Chynna, she seems like the best option to me. This is nothing different than I’ve been saying all along, except it gets drowned out in the white noise of other posters. I’ve been watching and writing about this show for years now – this ain’t my first go round like it is for some of the Hope fans. This is what I think. BUT, what they probably won’t do at this point is ridiculously over score her to get her to the end. If she makes a Chynna sized error, then all bets are off. But they seem to be certainly setting it up for Len to have an “I told you so” moment. And this week she has a good dance with a great song. All the ingredients are there for it to work out. And most likely, unless Derek pulls something amazing out of his ass, Ricki OR JR are going to take a tumble. May be just a little tumble, but storyboarding is alive and well on this show.

Also, while on the subject of (un)fairness, the thing that I dislike the most is how female pros and attractive female celebrities are at a disadvantage compared to the hot men.

But I understand that the audience is mostly female and that there is no point in getting up in arms about it. I also like Tristan but for the love of god Nancy is still in this competition largely due to fact that the audience has the hots for him. I didn’t see that happening with Peta, Elisabetta, Pam, Joanna or many others.

No, in fact I’m not at all. I’ve always thought that we have a similar style of reasoning and that’s why we sometimes bumped heads. Also partly due to my language barrier thing (I should have Mr. Sasa proofread everything, he’s the translator of the family).

I think that the less-personable thing is mainly due to the women being in awe of Derek. Also, taking into consideration that women fair worse in general on the show and that all female winners were superb dancers while male not necessarily, the pressure is on for the ladies to be great which makes them a bit robotic.

But you know, I don’t think I’ve ever thought of any of Makses partners as robotic. Could be because he’s such a diva but could be also because he shows more emotion.

Well, Sasa, I think that is largely a reflection of Derek himself. I wouldn’t call it robotic, but just intensely aware of the “correct” way (for him) to respond to everything. You will never (since his one big blow up in season 6) hear him say anything negative about ANYONE. And lord knows there have been plenty of times when he could have fired back at some of the asinine things that Louis, Tony and (to a lesser extent) Maks and Mark have said about him and his partners – all implying that he had it easy. I wish he WOULD. In his head he could be raging also, but he seems to feel and be intensely aware of being PC. I don’t know if it comes from being the only son or the fourth of five children or what, but that seems to be a pretty dominant personality trait, just like Maks’ hot headedness is part of him. I think this rubs off on his partners, and I think Maks rubs off on his partners. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that Derek actually talks to them about it, something along the lines of “Look, the camera is always on us. Always. They will show everything bad. FYI.” I think that’s evident from the song that he and Nicole used to sing all the time. Frankly, for the celebrities, that’s probably a more secure way to go -these people mostly hope to have some sort of career after the show. Which is the safer route to go, Derek or Maks?? Ricki has said that she wanted Derek because of how he seems to take good care of his partners and because of his teaching style. If you consider that all these people have different personalities, then different celebs are going to have different preferences. For EVERYTHING.

It’s also possible that this is part of his overall strategy – he’s seen it work over and over again. And you can’t discount success.

I guess I just don’t see how this is a setup in Hope’s favor when we have Len basically calling her lazy and then 5 minutes later we get a touching video all about what a hard worker Rob Kardashian supposedly is.

OK, I think it’s mean to laugh at Maks not being able to make Hope a better dancer. Him getting Hope when he flat-out solicited her to be on the show and his partner – that’s a great coup for Maks. But her not living up to certain people’s expectations is not Maks’s fault. And therefore, if I feel bad that Maks still hasn’t been given a partner he can likely win with, ringer or otherwise, I can still feel that way – Maks getting Hope doesn’t change the fact that I’m upset that he still hasn’t won, or that he hasn’t been given a partner as up to the task as, say, Nicole or Jennifer were.

I think it’s a little hypocritical to be thinking this week is a setup in favor of Hope and then deny that Derek has gotten so many good partners, or even try to pick an argument that Derek’s partners have been weaker than Maks’s.

As far as Maks making the finale more times than Derek, uh, yeah, Derek didn’t join until season 5 and Maks in season 2. There was a show before Derek joined it, and Maks was actually more likely to have stronger dancers back then.

As far as Maks taking a break, he already took a break. Maybe he needs another one. Maybe he just needs a(nother) year where he has the best dancer.

This thread should never turn into a Maks vs. Hough and I’ll acknowledge I let it get to that point from my initial venting.

Instead the real problem here is the fact that Chaz is probably getting Bristol Palin-sized votes when he’s not a good dancer, not a good entertainer, not really improving, and not really a crowd favorite. I can understand how hard it must be for someone like Hope, who is very competitive, hungry for a win, and doesn’t like to be criticized and have her commitment questioned. I can understand how hard it must be for Maks, Tony, and the other pros, whether they’ve won in the past or not, whether they’ve had fan favorites in the past or not, to continue motivating and choreographing their celebrity partners when it feels like it’s all in vain thanks to the Chaz train. Which is why all I’m asking for is that the judges grade a little more harshly and fairly, barring any more Chynna-like flukes or legitimate improvement by Chaz.

This is a season of fan favorites. The last three eliminees were probably exactly who were getting the lowest vote totals each week. Everyone left has some fanbase. So I say, let them all duke it out, even if J.R. and Ricki excelling so much means they are only fighting for 3rd. Even if that’s the case, don’t keep giving Chaz scores that are equal to or only one point lower than anyone else if the standard of dancing between him and the rest is much vaster. Let them fight it out more fairly.